Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1887-06-17
TIE TWO IIER0INES.
Big Stories OF Two Clerks in
the United States Treasury.
The One a Noted Army Nurso, the Other
Secretary Sswarl's Housekeepsr

Secretary osWarls H0uSek9ep9r.
A Washington letter to the Cincinnati
Enquirer says: There arc now engaged
in the Division Of Loans and Currency
Of the Treasury Department at Wash
iagton two lady employees who have
become widely known for their his:or.-
cal experience in war times, AMI one
gcntlelnau who is the son of former
President.
Miss Harriet z. Dame, the army nurse,
who won national fame by her four
years and eight months Of pcriou3 ser
vice with the S.c5nl New Hampshire
Regiment durin. the Civil war, deserves
first mention. Her career has been re-
peatedly published in part, but no writer
who attempts to chronicl. all her thrill
ing, trying experiences under deadly
fire on the field of battle, exposed to the
contcnling clements Of heaven, or over
wounded, sick and dying soldiers in the
hospitals, need ever hope to be success
ful. As matter Of fact, and not
merely of sentiment, her history is
written in scars held under her minister
ing hands, in hearts to whom she by
her presence and deeds brought hope
and comfort amid the sulTcrings Of war,
and in tie memories of stricken suffering
ones, both blue and gray, for whom she
cared.
She was once taken prisoner at the
second battle Of Bull Run and detained
week about Stoncwall Jackson's head
quarters, in tent specially provided for
her occupancy; but when the general
found on investigation that she was not
a spy, as suspected, he had her released
and permitted her to 60 undisturbcd.
She was sent on highly important and
responsible missions at various times by
the governor of New Hampshire and by
other officials and organizations, each
time returning with thoroughly reliable
and practical reports, and often doing
efficient work in securing needed re-
forms in the hospital and transportation
arrangements.
For a number OF years since the war
her soldier friends had been urging her
at different times to secure a pension for
her services, but she modcstly maintained
]
that she wanted the soldiers pensioned
first, and that she could take care OF
herself.
This remarkable woman had served
these four years and eight months amid
all the carnage and suffering of war for
the pittancc OF Sc pr month allowed
army nurses. BY special act Of Con-
grcss, secure by hcr friends, she was
given pension Of $95 month, begin
ming on July 3. 1884 She allowed the
pension to run FIR considerable time,
then taking the amount due her and
adding to the same from her modest
earnings in the government service she
built, at her own expense, house to be
used rs the future headquarters of the
Second New Hampshire soldiers in their
reunions at the Wcirs, Like Winncpc-
saukee, N. II. THIS cost her $1,000
and ex Gov. Smith, governor Of New
/ Hampsh.ra at the c,osc of the war, fur
nishcI the house At the c'osc of the
/ ,,,ar ~ .t,,o In..ieI,t,,r,. ,f n -. II -
shire presented her with some highly
appreciutive resolutions, cngrcsscd on
I parchment, in recognition of her SER
vices, and also presented her with sum
Of money.
She is now seventy. y.two years old, and
/ is a wcli-prcservcd woman for her acc.
She wears a PLAIN black dress, has we'll
/ formed, expressive features, dark eyes
and hair only partially turnc to gray
Her nose and forehead are sharply and
vet becomingly outlined. She is en-
\ gagged as a money counter at 5000 per
( year.
Miss Margaret C5cmln, in the same
division, was the housekecper for the
Seward family in Washington at the
time Of the assassination Of Lincoln and
the attempt on Secretary Seward life.
/ The screams of Miss Fannie Seward,
who was in the room with her invalid
father when he was murdcrously attacked
| by Payne, brought Miss Coleman to the
rescue, aad when Payne heard her COM
1 ing he left Mr.. ward, who in the
struggle had fallen out OF bel and was
found by Mss Coleman between the bed
and the wlll with his head still under
the clothes and smothcring in his own
blood. Payne had lost his hat and
paused a moment TO look in vain for
what was afterwards to be silent but
unimpe, chab,e witness against him, then
rushe for the dor, anil, meeting Miss
Coleman threw himself against her,
hurting her against the door as it stood
open AMI dislocating her shoulder-bladc.
Further on he passed. Miss Fannie in
his hot haste and m de his escape.
Miss Coleman was with the Seward
family eight years, an witnessed tho
rapid decline Of both Mrs. S:warl and
Miss Fannie, w.o never survived the
shock Of that terrible night OF the 14th
Of April, 1865 Mrs. Swarl died in
limo and NJ {. IT,n.io ~ ,l,o fan foIfou